15-day Buddhist Pilgrimage in Tibet China

Destinations: Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, Chengdu, Leshan, Shanghai

Tour code: TCG-L-027

Encompassing many Buddhism sites of China this is a trip for those who want to understand the Buddhism and its influences in China. Drive from the recent capital Beijing, or to the Tibetan Holy city - Lhasa, or just the busy metropolitan - Shanghai, you will find the remarkable footsteps of Buddha!

Day 2 Beijing

After breakfast at your hotel, meet the guide and start today's city tour from the Temple of Heaven Park, which is a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation. Lunch will be taken at a local Chinese restaurant.

In the afternoon, walk through the Tian'anmen Square which is the largest city square in the world, and visit the Forbidden City. It is the largest imperial palace in Cina for 24 emperors' reign during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years. In the evening, enjoy a famous Peking Duck Banquet for dinner.

Day 3 Beijing

Activities for today: Mutianyu Great Wall, Lama Temple

Today you will travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the capital to the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall. We've arranged for you to ascend to the site by cable car so you can conserve your time and energy to explore along the wall. Although sections can be steep, the views from this ancient structure are magnificent and the experience of actually walking atop the Great Wall is truly unforgettable.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the cloisonné Factory where you will see the traditional Beijing cultural art. After that, drive back to the city and see the iconic venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics – the Birds Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. Today's tour ends at the Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple). It is a temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in the northeastern part of Beijing. The building and the artworks of the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Day 4 Beijing / Xi'an

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Summer Palace, Hutong Tour.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet the guide and transfer to visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China with a history of over 800 years.

In the afternoon, take a 3-wheel rickshaw to Hutong and have a visit to the local family. Hutong is the unique street design in Beijing - some crisscrossing old narrow paths with courtyard houses built on each side. It can be regarded as a window into Beijing folk life. Transfer to Beijing airport for the late afternoon flight to Xi'an.
Arrival in Xi'an, you will be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Day 5 Xi'an

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive to visit the Xi'an Daqin Terra-Cotta & Lacquer Furniture Art Factory. In the factory, you can see the process of how to make Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Continue drive to visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20 th century; an army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb since 2200 year ago.

In the afternoon, drive to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park. The pagoda is the city emblem, which was first built in Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang. Have a free walk at the Old City Quarters.

Day 6 Xi'an / Lhasa

Upon arrival in Lhasa, you will be met at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 7 Lhasa

Activities for today: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street

After breakfast at the hotel, full day guide tour visit the Potala Palace which is a monumental building of Lhasa served as administrative center, seat of government, monastery, fortress and the home of all the Dalai Lamas from the Fifth to the Fourteenth in the past, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site of 1994. Lunch will be taken at a local Chinese restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Jokhang Temple, 1300 years old with a golden roof and one of Tibet's holiest shrines. Today's tour ends at the Barkhor Street. It is is essentially a pilgrim circuit, which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang. Shaped roughly like an octagon, it is also a hive of market activity. Drive back to your hotel for free evening.

Day 8 Lhasa

Activities for today: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka

After breakfast at the hotel, full day guide tour visit the Sera Monastery. It was first built in 1419, and the debating among monks is a very interesting scene of this monastery. Followed by a visit to the Drepung Monastery which was once the biggest monasteries in Tibet. Lunch will be taken at a local Chinese restaurant.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to Norbulingka which used to be the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. After that, visit the Carpet Factory.

Day 9 Lhasa / Chengdu

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Jinsha Site Museum, Jinli old street

In the morning, drive to Lhasa Gongga airport for the morning flight to Chengdu.

Arrival in Chengdu, you will be met at the airport and transfer to visit the Jinsha Site Museum, a great place for visitors to closely observe the excavation of archeological spot and learn the glorious culture of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Then wander around Jinli ancient streets, you can taste different kinds of local snacks there.

Day 10 Chengdu / Leshan / Emei Mountain

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Leshan Giant Buddha

After breakfast, drive to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. The 71m-high Giant Buddha is qualified as the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world. It was constructed during 713-803 AD during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. It was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1996.

After tour, drive to Mt. Emei, check into hotel at the foot of the mountain. Overnight at Emei Moutain.

Day 11 Emei Mountain / Chengdu

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Emei Mountain

Full day tour to visit Mt. Emei.

First you will take a tourist bus for about 25 minutes to the parking lot of Wannian Temple, take the cable car up, visit Wannian Temple, walk through Qingyin Pavilion - the biggest natural ecology reserve area for monkeys, till you get to Wuxiangang parking lot to take the tourist bus down to the foot of the mountain.

Day 12 Chengdu / Shanghai

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Giant Panda Breeding Center

Today, you will be picked up to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the adorable panda bears.

Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Shanghai. Arrival in Shanghai, you will be met at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 13 Shanghai

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and full day guide tour to visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower where has best viewing spot of Shanghai located by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high.

Followed by a visit to the Yu Garden. The garden used to be a private garden with 400 years' history; it features traditional architectural style of Yangtze Delta.After that, have a free walk on the nearby Old Street and transfer to visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Free at leisure on the Bund and Nanjing Road.

Recommended evening activity: Acrobatic Night Show.

Day 14 Shanghai

Activities for today: Zhujiajiao Water Town

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town to see the traditional life at Yangtze River Delta. You will take a short boat on the Water Town.

After lunch, drive to the city and pay a visit to the Jiangnan Silk Workshop, and drive back to your hotel for free exploration.

Day 15 Shanghai departure

Our proven travel packages have been carefully chosen to include the most popular or unique destinations and tourist attractions in China. However, as local conditions and our clients requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your travel consultants you may modify the itinerary to give a truly unique experience!

Price Includes

Private Transfers:

Between airports / railway station, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the cities specified in the itinerary by the private air conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.

Entrance fees:

All entrance fees to scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TripChinaGuide. TCG will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.

Meals:

All meals as specified in the itinerary. “B” stands for western breakfast “L” for Chinese Lunch in local Chinese restaurant. “D” for Chinese dinner in local Chinese restaurant. The quotation is basic on the above normal meals. If you have any special request about meals, like vegetarian, or Indian food etc, please inform us in advance.

Private tour escort for Sightseeing:

Normal sightseeing activities as outlined in the Itinerary will be escorted with English-speaking guide.

The English-speaking guide and driver of each city accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.

Accommodation (if include Yangtze Cruiser):

Service based on two adults sharing on one standard twin/double-bed room (cabin); solo travelers or those who want to occupy one twin/double-bed room/cabin of their own are required to pay additional charge of single supplement rate. A single room (cabin) is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar class one.

All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.

Transportation:

All the domestic airfare of economy class with airport tax/ or train ticket(s) as specified in the itinerary.

Service Charge & Government Taxes

Arrangements:

The tour cost includes the planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Price Excludes

Entry or Exit China International Airfare or train tickets, unless other wise noted.

Any meals which are not specified in the itinerary with “B”, “L” or “D”.

Any extra cost caused by changes of natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TripChinaGuide and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.